Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The BWB Blog Contest!



How I wish I had a pair of those giant scissors they use at ribbon cutting ceremonies right about now!

And a giant ribbon, of course.

Because this blog contest deserves the kind of fanfare that only giant desk accessories can provide.

We all know how hard it is in this biz. To keep writing when you’re discouraged, dejected, demoralized, and all those other d-words that seem inevitable as you make your way along the dusty trail toward publication.   

But when you’re feeling down or, worse, when you feel like giving up, here's your saving grace: your BWB. 

That’s right, your best writer-buddy. 

Your BWB is there to offer you a swig from her canteen at high noon. And suck the rattlesnake venom out of your leg. And not turn you over to a posse of vigilantes just to collect the reward money. In other words, your BWB has got your back, and you’re going to thank your BWB someday when you write your Acknowledgements page because you have pep talks that go something like this: 

You: *sigh* I suck.

BWB: You do not suck.

You: No, it’s true. I suck greatly.

BWB: You stop that talk this instant. And don’t use adverbs. They’re bad for you. *whip crack* Now get back to work!

If it wasn’t for your BWB talking you down every once in a while, who knows where you’d be?

Well, to celebrate BWB’s everywhere, a couple of my comrades—the lovely Renee Collins and equally lovely Angelina Hansen—and I have put together this awesome blog contest for writers of YA and MG fiction.

How to Enter: In the comment section, tell us briefly (in 100 words or less) about your best writer-buddy and how she/he inspires and encourages you. If applicable, include a link to your blog as well as your BWB’s blog. Again, this is for YA/MG fiction writers only, but you can write in any genre: Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal, Not-paranormal, Somewhat Paranormal – anything. **To leave a comment/entry, click on the post title and the comment box will appear below.**

To Qualify to Win: Be a blog follower of mine, Angelina’s or Renee's, simple as that. You probably already are a follower anyway. ‘Cause you’re cool like that.

Winners: Each of us will choose a winner at random from the entries at our blogs. And, yes, that means that you have not one but three chances to win. Because you can go over to Renee’s blog and follow her (if you don’t already) and then to Angelina’s blog (and follow her as well) and leave comments/entries there. 

Wear it with pride!
Prizes: Winners at my and Renee’s blog will each receive a query critique from our fabulous agent, Molly Jaffa of Folio Literary Management. The winner at Angelina’s blog will win a query critique from her agent, Katie Grimm with Don Congdon Associates. And here’s the good part, not only will winners receive a query critique, your writer-buddy will receive a copy of Cheryl Klein’s new book Second Sight  AND both the winner and her writer-buddy will get one of these super cheesy, BFF half-a-heart pendants. Awwww! 

I know, right? 

Have you ever heard of more amazing amazingness?

Deadline: Entries must be submitted by Friday, Sept. 30 at midnight. Then we will announce the three winners the following week: one on Monday, 10/3; one on Wednesday, 10/5, and the final winner on Friday, 10/7.  

I look forward to hearing your inspirational tales. And, yes, before you email to ask, you can absolutely write your entries in iambic pentameter. 

Don't forget to click the post title to get the comment box to come up!